Grip width on single vs. double stack pistols

[ace_himself]

Hi I just had a very quick question about something that is confusing me.

With a single stack magazine, you sacrifice mag capacity but I thought that advantage was that it allows for a thinner grip and pistol - usually in .45ACP because the rounds are larger in diameter than other common ones.

However, I was just looking online a bit, and a HK USP in .45ACP which holds 12 rounds, certainly a double stack magazine, is 1.26 inches wide, and a Glock 21 is 1.27 inches wide.

A SIG 220 with a single stack mag - it is 1.4 inches in width! So what's going on here? And a Kimber 1911 is 1.28 inches wide. So if you can make pistols using a double stack magazine with the same widty as a single stack, isn't the whole purpose defeated?

Thank you for your answers on this.

 

[TDC]

Materials make a difference. A polymer frame allows for a thinner grip due to less material. Grips or grip panels also add or subtract width depending on style. The USP and other polymer framed pistols do not offer any choices with regards to grips. 1911's and the Sig P220 have replaceable/interchangeable grip panels.

A slimmer profile aids in comfort and reduces size and bulk for concealed carry. This comes as you mentioned at the cost of capacity. Different designs, different target markets and personal preference are factors as well.

TDC